. >> reporter: that includes president obama, who spoke wednesday about inequality at the left-leaning center for american progress. >> we all know the arguments that have been used against a higher minimum wage. some say it actually hurts low- wage workers; business will be less likely to hire them. there's no solid evidence that a higher minimum wage costs jobs, and research shows it raises incomes for low-wage workers and boosts short-term economic growth. ( applause ) >> reporter: not everyone buys those arguments. in downtown washington's freedom plaza, where skateboarders took advantage of unseasonal warmth this week, the head of the conservative "american action forum" and former congressional budget office chair, douglas holtz-eakin, took issue. >> i think the president's argument is incomplete at best. certainly the person who has the job, their wages are higher, they're better off. but, there is evidence that it's harming the pace of economic recovery, hiring gets slowed down. in the end, everyone might find a job but you're getting rid of the low-skilled jobs workers use, an